Puerto Rico is suffering mightily in the wake of the various hurricanes that have struck this past month. They are completely without power in almost the entire island, and the flooding has destroyed more homes and buildings than we've been able to count...they are desperately in need of help...
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What has surprised me most during all this was how few people understand that the citizens of this beautiful Island nation are actually also citizens of the USA!
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The US acquired Puerto Rico in 1898, following the end of the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico, along with other Spanish colonies in the area, became an American protectorate under the terms of the Treaty of Paris.
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This means that citizens of Puerto Rico, much like citizens of Guam, the American Virgin Islands (which have also been badly hit), American Samoa, and several others, are citizens of our nation. They are subject to our military draft, they vote in our elections, and they hold American passports...these are our fellow citizens, and they desperately need help right now.
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If you want to contribute, the Red Cross is providing initial support to the region at the moment, UNICEF is on the ground as well, working to secure safe spaces for children. United for Puerto Rico, a charity run by the First Lady of that island protectorate, is taking donations, and if you'd rather volunteer in the region than give money, the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) is a good place to start. Let's support our people as much as we can in this difficult time! Stay safe out there! #chicagojpg#chigram#chicity_shots#artofchi#agameoftones#flippinchi#justgoshoot#wu_chicago#igchicago#ig_brilliant#insta_chicago#igerschicago#worldunion#from_your_perspective#your_worldcaptures#hurricanemaria#earthpix#goxplr#likechicago#chicagoshot#hurricanerelief#9vaga_urban9#ig_chicagoland#affair_weekly#upoutchicago#choosechicago#natgeo#metro_affair#puertorico#prayforpuertorico